ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ

STUDY ABROAD

Responsible Travel Policy for ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ

Travel is a powerful tool for engaging the culture, changing the world, and contributing to the education or professional work of SPU students, faculty, and staff. Understanding that members of our institution provide a model of Christian values during their journeys, SPU holds to these principles:

1. To enter travel with an attitude of humility and respect for the people who we will encounter and to spend time in advance learning about the culture, current events, and social or environmental issues at our destinations.
2. To cultivate the habit of asking questions about local norms and customs for photographing people, places, and events; to inquire about environmental standards followed by tour operators or facilities managers.
3. To ensure benefits for local people by striving to engage in activities and purchases that will provide sustainable income for the local economy.
4. To avoid adverse environmental impacts and reinforcement of cultural stereotypes.
5. When feasible, to travel in small groups in order to minimize negative impacts of travel on other places.
    

As a community who seeks to reflect Christ in all we do, we pledge to bring these principles back home and apply them to the travel we experience throughout our lives.

Study Abroad Fees

Study abroad fees contibute toward a broad range of services available to students before, during, and after the study abroad experience.

For many years, a $200 study abroad fee has applied to all SPU Faculty-led and partner programs (such as CCCU BestSemester programs sponsored by SPU).

Beginning with autumn term 2012, students who study outside the United States will be charged an administrative study abroad fee of $400 per term for non-SPU programs during autumn, winter or spring terms.  A $200 fee will be charged for all summer study abroad.

Students studying abroad for two or more consecutive terms at the same institution will be charged for the first term of study only.

SPU Faculty Led and Partner Programs

These programs are registered at ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ and taken with SPU faculty. For more information about any of these study trips, .

British Isles Program (Autumn Quarter)
Chris Chaney, Coordinator,

Combine outstanding academics with a vibrant culture by choosing England as your study abroad destination. The British Isles Quarter (BIQ) offers students of all majors the opportunity to take a wide variety of courses at located in beautiful and historic Canterbury, England, a World Heritage city.

Consistently ranked near the top in student satisfaction (annual National Student Survey), University of Kent offers a diverse student population, international flavor and strong ties to Europe that enhance this university's reputation as the "U.K.'s European university".

A 3-credit pre-session is offered by SPU's English faculty in even-numbered years. You'll travel throughout England, visiting typical English villages and cities and finish the session in London. Students have the option to attend the pre-session only and return to SPU before autumn quarter begins or continue on to University of Kent. . Professors, courses, and locations vary.

China Studies Program (Autumn Quarter)

Doug Downing, Coordinator,

China is an ideal study abroad destination for students wishing for a true cultural learning experience. Students across all majors will find opportunities to fulfill degree requirements on the China study abroad program.

Students of all majors are encouraged to study at in the city of , located in the Sichuan Province in southwest China. Sichuan University is a key national research university with a history of more than 100 years. The university is a comprehensive institution with the widest selection of disciplines in west China. Sichuan University enjoys a deep cultural background and eminent scholarly research tradition. The university is dedicated to the internationalization of China's higher education and international students are valued and warmly welcomed to pursue academic studies there.

Business students will have the option to join SPU professors for a two-week seminar prior to the start of classes at Sichuan University. This program is designed to give students an opportunity to see how China's booming economy impacts businesses and nations around the world today.

To get a first-hand understanding of these global implications, students taking the pre-term session will depart in mid-August and visit the great cities of , , and . The seminar launches students into an in-depth study of international business and exploration of the culture and life of the people of China.

All students will meet in Beijing to attend a 4-day orientation program to begin autumn quarter abroad. Before continuing on to the city of Chengdu, students will see major sights in Beijing while preparing for the cultural and academic differences they will encounter in China.

European Studies (Spring Quarter, odd-numbered years)
Kathryn Bartholomew and Michelle Beauclair, Coordinators, Foreign Language Department

European Quarter is a SPU sponsored study-abroad program held Spring Quarter. The course will begin at SPU with eight days of intensive classroom instruction on Italian and French languages, culture, geography and history.

European Quarter is a traveling program between multiple countries and cities  Sites vary depending on faculty leadership and may include France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain.

Participants must plan to take a 3-credit orientation course during autumn quarter prior to the program.  European Quarter meets the expectations of a quarter’s study in Europe both academically, earning 15 credits, and culturally, through in-depth contact with the language/culture connection.

(Autumn Quarter)

Denise Daniels, and John Lindberg, Coordinators (2012)

Based in the beautiful, historic city of Antigua and surrounding village communities, students will be placed with local Guatemalan host families and enjoy in-country excursions under the guidance of — our Guatemalan partner organization — to places such as home of the "lost city" of the ancient Mayan civilization.

This 15-credit program immerses students in the Central American country of Guatemala. Students will:

• Choose between two 5-credit exploratory curriculum classes, each taught with a Guatemala "twist" by SPU faculty!
• Gain experiential education and applied skills through completion of internships at Guatemalan sites, working with Students International staff and local Guatemalan citizens.
• Study Spanish one-on-one at Centro Linguistico Maya, with evaluation directed by SPU language faculty, while working toward satisfying SPU's language proficiency requirement.  Students register for Intro to Spanish before leaving, are evaluated on site and registration is updated to reflect their language level upon their return to campus, after an interview with an SPU Spanish professor.

Korea/Japan (Summer)

Jaiel Lee, Coordinator, Family and Consumer Sciences Department

The Korea/Japan Study Abroad Trip is an 11 day program in international retailing, manufacturing, and sourcing, focused on Korea and Japan. The course will be taught by in the

The in-country portion of the program will include visits to (CNU) in Korea and in Japan for presentations, interaction with peers, and campus tours. The program will also visit headquarters of an electronic shopping company in Korea, a Korean cosmetics firm and a Korean fashion company, a state-of-the-art
menswear factory, and retailing facilities in both Japan and Korea. In addition, the program includes visits to important cultural sites in each location.

Kyoto, Japan (Early September, prior to the start of Autumn Quarter)

Jeff and Diana Keuss, Coordinators,

On the , students will take an intensive two-week course that includes readings, lectures, discussions, and tours that relate to the world’s major religious traditions outside of Christianity — Shintoism and Buddhism.

Students are introduced to the historic roots, major doctrinal developments, and worship practices of each tradition and asked to reflect critically and comparatively to the Christian faith on each tradition. First undertaken in September 2008, the Kyoto study abroad trip is led by SPU theology faculty.

(Early September, prior  to the start of Autumn Quarter)

Martin Abbott, and Tom Trzyna, , Coordinators

Students attending the program will live in central London while taking either UCOR3000 or SOC4910 from SPU professors.

As the capital of one of the largest empires in human history, London has acquired a nearly matchless collection of art, historical artifacts, scientific exhibits, and other extraordinary resources.  But London is more than just museums and landmarks - it is a living, thriving miccrocosm of its former global empire.  The courses being offered are designed to take advantage of the many museums, galleries and cultural surroundings to enrich the learning experience.

(Early September, prior  to the start of Autumn Quarter, even numbered years) 

Kimberly Segall, Coordinator, English Department

On the , students will travel overland from Granada in Moorish Spain, to Fes in Morocco.  We will follow a trans-national journey across borders which is also taken by the characters in Laila Lalami's story,

To prepare for this trip, plan on taking a 3-credit orientation in the spring, which will be a North African film course. This class will introduce the history and cultural diversity of this region with films from Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia.

Paris: French Culture and Cinema (Summer, even-numbered years)
Michelle Beauclair, Coordinator, Foreign Language Department, and Todd Rendleman, Coordinator, .

Students choose from two tracks, either French language or Communication on the Paris, France program.

• Students in the French track will improve their spoken French and listening comprehension through activities both inside and outside the classroom.
• Students in the Communication track will develop an appreciation of film criticism and aesthetics, with a special emphasis on French filmmakers and cinema.

The program includes the study of European civilization using the museums, theaters, and historic sights of the city as our classroom. Students also participate in a weekend excursion to the D-Day beaches in Normandy, France.

(Winter break)

Sharlene Kato, Coordinator, Family and Consumer Sciences Department

The Philippines Study Abroad Program aims to provide service-learning opportunities for students while working with children and families in a cross-cultural environment. Students will have the opportunity to apply the Family and Consumer Sciences mission as they travel to Manila and participate in feeding programs, family and community service projects, and school programs, and as they interact with the children in an orphanage sponsored by

Rome: Art and Incarnation (Summer, odd-numbered years)

Katie Kresser, Coordinator, and Jennifer Maier, Coordinator,

The Rome Program is a study abroad experience for SPU students interested in creative writing, aesthetics, art, art history, theology, and the visual arts. Students spend a month exploring the incarnational aspects of artistic expression while visiting places such as the Roman Forum and the Sistine Chapel. Daily excursions will be accompanied by classroom instruction.

For their classroom component, participants may choose between:  A writing/literature track or an art history track. Both tracks are grounded in the works of Christian artists and writers.

South Africa Program (Summer, odd-numbered years)
Kimberly Segall, Coordinator, English Department

This four-week summer program tours several locations in South Africa, including Capetown (once the prison site of Nelson Mandela), Addo Elephant Park, the Garden Route, and the National Arts Festival at Grahamstown. Students will visit museums, attend theatre performances, and participate in a service project.

Transcultural Nursing Program (Winter Quarter)

Chris Henshaw, Coordinator, School of Health Sciences

The Nursing Program offers transcultural experiences for students on campus, locally, and abroad. Applications for the study-abroad experience are available to nursing students Winter Quarter of the junior year and are due in early March. The study abroad experience occurs during Winter Quarter of the senior year.

Transcultural programs may not be offered every year, depending upon the international travel conditions and opportunities available. In addition, the School of Health Sciences has close ties with Gunma University College of Medical Care and Technology and with Gunma Prefectural Health Sciences College in Japan, offering summer programs focused on nursing in the United States.

Tropical Marine Biology (Galapagos or Belize) (Winter Break)
Tim Nelson, Coordinator, Biology Department

This two-week study Tropical Biology Program takes place annually between the end of Autumn Quarter and Christmas Eve. Destinations vary between the Caribbean and a site in the Pacific (e.g., the 2009 tour was to Belize and the 2010 tour will be to the Galapagos Islands.) The tour typically emphasizes fish, corals, and seaweeds typical of coral reef ecosystems or terrestrial natural history.

• This study is open to all students.
• General Education or Exploratory Curriculum credit may be earned in BIO 1100.
• Students with biology experience may take BIO 4950 for credit.
• Snorkeling and scuba diving are optional.

The course includes a cultural component. In Belize, for example, the Mayan ruins were part of the tour. [Back to top]

BESTSEMESTER (CCCU) PROGRAMS

American Studies Program (Washington, D.C.); Australia Studies Centre; China Studies; Contemporary Music Center; India Studies; Latin American Studies; Los Angeles Film Study Center; Middle East Studies; Oxford Summer Programme; The Scholars' Semester in Oxford; Uganda Studies; Washington (D.C.) Journalism Center

ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ is a member of the and the . The purpose of the CCCU and CCC is to promote Christian higher education, and to provide programs for students and professional development opportunities for faculty and administration.

Applications and information for all programs are available on the . These 12 study programs offer a full semester of study, and students must register for the entire set of carefully selected, interconnected courses offered by each program (generally 24 quarter credits). Students register for classes at Seattle Pacific University and pay SPU tuition. In addition to Federal and State aid, SPU need and merit-based financial aid applies to these programs. [Back to top]

Reed Davis, Coordinator, Political Science Department

Founded in 1976, the American Studies Program (ASP) has served hundreds of students from council-member institutions as a “Washington, D.C., campus.” The ASP uses Washington, D.C., as a stimulating educational laboratory where collegians gain hands-on experience with an internship in their chosen field and explore pressing national and international issues in public policy seminars that are issue-oriented, interdisciplinary, and led by ASP faculty and Washington professionals.

Internships are tailored to fit the student’s talents and aspirations and are available in a wide range of fields. The ASP bridges classroom and marketplace, combining biblical reflection, policy analysis, and real-world experience.

Students are exposed to on-the-job learning that helps them build for their future and gain perspective on the calling of God for their lives. They are challenged in a rigorous course of study to discover for themselves the meaning of Christ’s lordship in putting their beliefs into practice. The aim of the program is to help Council schools prepare their students to live faithfully in contemporary society as followers of Christ. Students earn 24 quarter hours of credit.

Don Yanik, Coordinator, Theatre Department

The Australia Studies Centre (ASC) seeks to prepare students to live the Christian life in a world that is religiously and culturally pluralistic, whether in Australia, North America, or other parts of the world.

Students are encouraged to think through their role as kingdom builders in a Western world that is increasingly secular both intellectually and culturally. Students are further challenged to grapple with the meaning of being “salt” and “light” in the culture-shaping arena of the professional performing artist. Students earn 24 credit hours. [Back to top]

Gail DeBell, Coordinator, Study Abroad

The China Studies Program (CSP), which began in the spring of 1999, allows students to engage this large and intriguing country from the inside. While living and experiencing Chinese civilization firsthand, students participate in seminar courses on the historical, cultural, religious, geographical, and economic realities of this strategic and populous nation.

In addition to the study of standard Chinese, students will assist Chinese students learning English, allowing one-on-one interaction. The China Studies program is hosted by located on the beautiful garden island of Xiamen in southeastern China.

The program introduces students to the diversity of China with trips to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Xi’an. This interdisciplinary, cross-cultural program of study enables Christian students to deal with this increasingly important part of the world in an informed, Christ-centered way. Students earn 24 quarter hours of credit.

Ramona Holmes, Coordinator, Music Department

The Contemporary Music Center offers students the opportunity to spend a semester studying, living, and working with faculty, music industry experts, and other students who share their interest in making and marketing contemporary music. It is a chance to devote serious time to discovering how God would have a student integrate his or her faith, love of music, and the music marketplace.

In addition to core courses investigating the music industry and the intersection of faith and culture, students can choose between the Artist track or the Music Executive track. They will get many hours of hands-on experience, plus lectures, seminars, directed study, and an intensive field experience in Nashville, Tennessee. When not in class, students will be in the studio or in music-business offices.

Together with classmates, students will make and market a CD of original music. The Center is located in Nashville, TN.

[Back to top]

Kim Gilnett, Coordinator, Fine Arts Department

The Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC), a program of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, offers a semester-long liberal arts exposure to the workings of the film industry, exploring the ethical considerations and cultural influences that arise from the industry’s operations and product.

• Enrollment in the program is competitive and limited to upper-division undergraduates.
• For those accepted into the program, a block of 24 SPU credits may be earned.
• Consult the film-studies coordinator for details.

The Los Angeles Film Studies Center, located in Burbank, California, provides students a unique opportunity to study the film industry in an “on location” intensified experience. Participants have opportunity to meet working professionals from all aspects of the film industry, to visit facilities found only in Southern California, and to utilize film research libraries unique to the area.

The curriculum is intended to appeal to students from a variety of academic disciplines with the intent of providing an interdisciplinary study of film and the film industry, and with a secondary goal of providing opportunity to investigate future academic and/or vocational opportunities. [Back to top]

Gail DeBell, Coordinator, Study Abroad

"Unity in Diversity" is the hallmark of the nation of India.  There are 28 states and 7 union territories, 22 officially recognized languages and numerous dialects, about 9 religions and nearly 2000 ethnic groups across India. The India Studies Program offers a unique opportunity to encounter one of today's most fascinating and diverse cultures.  This diversity, as well as the call to be an obedient witness for Christ throughout the world, provides a rich and engaging setting to equip students to be servant-leaders in a pluralistic world of beliefs, cultures and needs.

In particular, the India Studies Program will challenge students to discover for themselves a variety of ways to address the needs of the poor and disenfranchised, acting as agent of salt and light in broken world.

The India Studies Program is structured to provide students with both immersion in a local community and broad exposure to a variety of peoples, places and customs in India including an extensive two-week travel portion of the program to provide students a close up look at India's diversity.  Students will participate in two core courses designed to provide a broad overview of the historical, religious, geographical and economic landscape of India. Building on their basic understanding of India's past and contemporary realities students will have opportunities to explore a variety of issues -poverty, social justice, rapid social change, religious pluralism - through the eyes and experience of Indian Christians.  Rounding out the semester experience, students will also have the opportunity to take courses in their major areas with Indian students and professors.

At its heart, the India Studies Program strives to encourage and equip students to effectively relate to India and its people in an informed, constructive and Christ-centered manner.

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Robert Baah, Coordinator, Foreign Language Department

Students of Council member colleges have the opportunity to live and learn in Latin America through the Latin American Studies Program (LASP), based in San Jose, Costa Rica. The program seeks to introduce students to as wide a range of Latin American experiences as possible through the study of language, literature, culture, politics, history, economics, ecology, and religion of the region.

Living with a Costa Rican family, students experience and become a part of the day-to-day lives of typical Latin Americans. Students also participate in a service opportunity and travel for three weeks to nearby Latin American nations. In addition to the regular program of interdisciplinary offerings, three specialized academic tracks are available to qualified students:

• Advance Language and Literature Studies (limited to Spanish majors and offered both Autumn and Spring Quarters)
• International Business and Management (offered in only Autumn Quarter)
• Tropical Sciences (offered in only Spring Quarter).

Students in all tracks earn 24 quarter hours of credit.

Donald Holsinger, Coordinator, History Department

The Middle East Studies Program (MESP) based in Cairo, Egypt, allows Council students to explore and interact with the complex and strategic world of the modern Middle East. The interdisciplinary seminars give students the opportunity to explore the diverse religious, social, cultural, and literary traditions of Middle Eastern people.

• In addition to seminars, students study the Arabic language and work as volunteers with various organizations in Cairo.
• Through travel to Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Turkey, students are exposed to the diversity and dynamism of the region.

The MESP encourages and equips students to relate to the Muslim world in an informed, constructive, and Christ-centered manner in a time of tension and change. Students earn 24 quarter hours of credit. [Back to top]

Luke Reinsma, Coordinator, English Department

Honors students from the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities have the opportunity to study in England in an interdisciplinary semester at Oxford University in England. The rigorous academic program, aimed at increasing critical-thinking skills and scholarship from a Christian perspective, allows participants to choose from a wide variety of tutorial study programs in numerous disciplines, including the arts, religion, history, literature, and philosophy.

• In addition to two Oxford tutorials, students participate in a seminar and an integrative course through which they produce a scholarly project or term paper.
• Field trips provide opportunities for experiential learning in England’s rich historical setting.
• Students earn 24 quarter hours of credit as a member of Wycliffe Hall and visiting student of Oxford University.

Luke Reinsma , Coordinator, English Department
Students spend a summer term studying at the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (CMRS) of Keble College at Oxford University in England. The program includes multi-disciplinary study of the Renaissance and Reformation through examination of philosophy, art, literature, science, music, politics, and religion of early modern Europe in a choice of lectures, seminars, and fieldtrips. Students earn 9–13.5 quarter credits, which are administered directly to member institutions by CMRS credits. [Back to top]

Kerry Dearborn, Coordinator, School of Theology

The Uganda Studies Program (USP) seeks to prepare students to live the Christian life in a world that is religiously and culturally pluralistic, whether in Africa, North America, or other parts of the world.

The USP seeks to introduce students to the dynamic world of the global south, focused in the vibrant East African nation of Uganda. Christianity there is joyful and growing rapidly, even as it engages Islam and secularization. USP students will move through this society first in the classes and dormitories of Uganda Christian University and then as learners observing places and people of interest around the country. Students earn 24 quarter hours of credit.

Rick Jackson, Coordinator, Communication Department

The Washington Journalism Center is an advanced, experiential semester on Capitol Hill that will cultivate professional news skills and encourage students to think through the implications of being a Christian working in the news media in a city that is home to the powerful and the powerless. [Back to top]

VISIT/TRANSFER PROGRAMS

Clark Atlanta, Consortium Visitor Program, FIT, FIDM

Students can register for the following programs through SPU agreements. Those interested in one of these programs will meet with the designated contact at SPU, but will register for classes through the institution they visit.

Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, Georgia)
ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ and are sister schools. Students are able to study at each institution with the permission of the vice president for academic affairs. Information is available from the Office of Student Life. [Back to top]

Consortium Visitor Program (Various Locations)
Students may elect to attend one of the other 12 Christian College Consortium schools on a visitor basis for one or two quarters on the Student Visitor Program.

In addition to SPU, Consortium schools include Asbury College, Bethel College (St. Paul), George Fox University, Gordon College, Greenville College, Houghton College, Malone College, Messiah College, Taylor University, Trinity International University, Westmont College and Wheaton College.

Applications should be filed through Student Academic Services. This program is eligible to students who have completed one year in residence at SPU and in good academic standing. The deadline for Autumn Quarter is March 1; for Winter Quarter and Spring Quarter, the deadline is October 1. Information is available in Student Academic Services on campus, and by .

Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) Program (Los Angeles)
Students have an option of pursuing a concentrated year of training in interior design by participating in the liaison program with the (FIDM) in Los Angeles.

Students electing to participate in the FIDM liaison should apply in their junior year and attend during their senior year. Students considering this option should seek advisement early in their academic careers in order to meet the requirements of both FIDM and SPU.

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Program (New York, New York)
Students in the textiles and clothing program who have major status and have maintained a satisfactory grade-point average may select from nine additional specializations if they are accepted into the liaison program with the (FIT) in New York City.

Those students who choose the FIT option must be accepted into the major and work closely with their advisor in selecting courses that best prepare them for their chosen major. Specializations offered through the liaison program with FIT include: accessories design; advertising and communication; advertising design; manufacturing management; fashion design; fashion buying and merchandising; jewelry design; textile/surface design; and textile development and marketing.

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